Educational Credentials and Course Requirements
- Applicants must hold a diploma of either Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery.
- Diploma must be from an institution that is duly accredited and legally constituted.
- The dental education program must be a four-year course with regular nine-month sessions.
- The prescribed branches of study include:
- Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Bacteriology
- Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materia Medica and Therapeutics
- Anesthesia, Toxicology, Physical Diagnosis, Radiography
- General Pathology, Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery
- Operative Technic and Clinic, Prosthetic Technic and Clinic
- Crown and Bridge Work, Dental Anatomy, Comparative Dental Anatomy
- Orthodontia, Dental Protozoology, Dental Ceramic
- Hygiene and Sanitation, Dental Jurisprudence, Dental Economics and Ethics
Definition of 'School' and Accreditation Criteria
- "School" encompasses colleges, universities, or other institutions of learning.
- To be considered accredited and legally constituted within the Philippine Islands, an institution must:
- Be incorporated under Philippine Corporation Law.
- Adhere strictly to the four-year dental course as described.
- Undergo inspection and receive written authorization from the Secretary of Public Instruction to confer the degree and issue diplomas.
- Foreign institutions must offer equivalent courses recognized as reputable by their own country's authorities.
Compliance with Course Attendance
- Applicants must have duly covered and attended all courses offered by their dental school.
- Dental schools are required to submit semester class schedules to the Board of Dental Examiners and the Office of the Commissioner of Private Education one week after classes commence.
Effectivity and Transitional Provision
- The Act takes effect upon approval.
- Current enrollees in Philippine dental schools or colleges at the time of enactment are exempted from its provisions, ensuring no adverse effect on their academic progression.